Vietnam–China relations mark a new start as bilateral ties deepen

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to China will take place from April 14 to 17, 2026, marking a new starting point in bilateral relations as both countries enter a new development phase.

The visit comes almost exactly a year after China’s General Secretary Xi Jinping’s previous state visit to Vietnam (April 14–15, 2025). The MFA said it is the third such high-level exchange in less than two years between the two parties and nations.

Three key significances highlighted by the MFA

First, the MFA said the visit marks the start of a new development phase for the relationship. Vietnam is entering a new development era following the 14th National Congress, while China is beginning implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan. The MFA noted that the two sides’ top leaders will define new directions and breakthroughs across economic and trade cooperation, investment, tourism, supply chains, manufacturing, education, and science and technology, with the aim of supporting each country’s development goals and advancing a partnership that is both steadfast and substantive.

Second, the visit is described as a crucial opportunity to elevate strategic coordination and set higher trajectories for cooperation in economy, trade, investment, and other areas, including logistics, education, and technology. The MFA said the focus will include enhancing value chains and cross-border cooperation.

Third, the MFA said the visit is expected to bolster political trust, help address outstanding differences, and expand people-to-people exchanges and local-level cooperation. This, it said, would strengthen stability, reliability, and long-term collaboration between the two countries.

Expected impact on bilateral ties and regional cooperation

The MFA said the growing stability, effectiveness, and substantive nature of Vietnam–China relations will contribute to the growth and development objectives of both nations in the new era and support regional peace, stability, and cooperation globally.

The visit is anticipated to create new momentum for bilateral ties, moving toward deeper, more robust, and longer-term cooperation. The MFA added that recent achievements have not only deepened relations between the two parties and countries, but also played a role in regional stability and development, laying a foundation for continued advancement of the bilateral relationship in the new era, including cooperation in new areas and expanded room for collaboration.